FLUKE TL2X4W PTII 4W test lead for 8846A / DMM 4050 - Manufacturing secrets

[overvolt]

When AI join forces with Kiriakos Intelligence, the outcome it is a blast of rich and unique information's. 

Looking forwards to see and read your own evaluation.
Is this FLUKE TL2X4W PTII, an overpriced disappointment?   Or something special?

The 8846A this is indeed special.   
Otherwise Kiriakos would never accepts paying hard earned cash, so to buy these test leads.


I did a pricing check, Pomona, Fluke, Keithley, all similar offerings are still insanely overpriced.
They have not learn any lesson so far.     
What their marketing manager's do ?  Playing golf all day long?

[Kiriakos GR]

Here comes one last piece of information, when FLUKE this was bragging about the split banana design at 2006.
This is the only one ever presented, close-up image of this connector.   

[Kiriakos GR]

Here comes one last piece of information, for FLUKE 8846A specifics.

FLUKE also succeed hiding the last page of FLUKE TL2X4W PTII datasheet, within 8846A calibration manual. 
2X4 Test Lead Verification Steps

Additionally at 8846A User manual there is a relative screenshot.
Its now obvious, a bunch of losers was in control of these products documentation. 

[Kiriakos GR]

8846A and electrical metrology related potentials.

No matter of how enthusiastic I might feel right now, 8846A this has documented electrical metrology related barriers.

10 Ohms lower range
5mA source current
Noise floor of 10% at 1 mOhm (DUT), this be lowest resistance value, which you can measure and trust the measurement.

And or, 8846A due in hardware limitations, this is measuring down to 1 mOhm resistor, and to confirm 10% tolerance limits at it best.
By measuring 1 mOhm resistor, digital display resolution this gets down to three digits.

From the other hand,  8845A and any DMM this having 100 Ohms as lower range, this is limited measuring down to 10 mOhm at 10% total uncertainty. 

But when measuring a 10 mOhm resistor on the range of a Fluke 8846A, your total uncertainty this is  1%.

Knowing you measuring gear limits at component level repair, this helps limiting your expectations down to what its practically possible.   

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Aside electrical metrology applications and limits, TL2X4W PTII test leads, this is an object this requiring to be adopted at your working style.
In the positive side of things,  TL2X4W PTII this can serve in much more applications, in comparison to TL2X4W Tweezers, this having tremendously limited usability, at surface mount components.

[Kiriakos GR]

While my TL2X4W-PTII this has landed in Greece, it’s not here yet.
Even so my own focus this is now returning at this project.

My plan this is using this commercial product, as this to be a metrology class comparison point, as I assume, that TL2X4W-PTII this represents THE best Low Thermal (Low EMF) tests leads worldwide.
This has been designed and inspected by FLUKE Calibration in the USA, and they did use the 8846A as to be a DUT.
This pretested TL2X4W-PTII, due FLUKE metrology group, this as product design alone, it translates to me, that I will measure and discover, the lowest levels of 8846A ADC noise floor at 4W resistance mode.

By such information at hand, I would be able to perform side by side comparison, and performance verification of regular 4W harness with clips.


My very own DIY design of 4W harness with clips, this is constructed by extreme attention to detail.
It’s a shielded cable, with connection to ground, CANARE L-4E6S this is a Japanese engineering example.
Connection junctions made by real gold plated bananas, and by 99% true copper and solder.
While due mechanical performance alone, I did accept using no-name brass test clips.

CANARE L-4E6S Best cable for DMM Kelvin clips (DIY project).

Fluke 8846A / DMM 4050 and Special Pomona Kelvin probes 4W for mOhm resistance

[Kiriakos GR]

Few more particles of information, which I did discover these today, they was within few frames of video footage this released 13 years ago.

From a practical and also from a metrology point of view, this is an unnecessary test.
When you do buy this TL2X4W PTII, you need a tool, for a specific purpose.   
Even test leads zeroing, this is performed by touching the leads tip to tip, and or over a PCB gold plated path, this used as SHORT bar.

While I do not care to criticize other people doings, these two heroes which leave a tiny bit of information as on-line feedback, they both did everything by the wrong way.
The first fellow, he was bolting TL2X4W PT tips, over a 50 years old can of a resistor standard.
The second fellow, he got TL2X4W PTII, when his actual needs was clips for measuring thru hole resistors.         
The first fellow retiree calibration enthusiast, the second fellow a machinist.
All that we need is an carpenter, and then we can form a music band.     
None of them compatible with this tool serving purpose.


Now lets focus, at these images below, and lets track down, and count of how many mistakes they are demonstrated.
1) The Micro OHM-meter, this is ancient relic, this pushing 1A at 20 mOhm range, this is purely a tool for inspecting of telephone wires connection.
2) These tiny pincers, they can barely withstand 1A
3) The lower contact point this is unstable.
4) This FLUKE made warning, never stress the leads above 500mA, this got trashed too.

This is of why I keep the doors of ITTSB Blog locked, new born electricians and even youth, they need rock solid information this coming from qualifying sources.
What other people do within their garage as a hobby, this is not my business. 
         

[Kiriakos GR]

Its time for us, to return back to our century. 

[Kiriakos GR]

My TL2X4W PTII, this faced today it first mission in the field. 

An medical system harness, this came today for repair.
After repairing the cable, I did confirm, at the active pair of gold plated contacts within the connector, that the electrode lead 1.5m long, this measures identically 20 mOhm at its one pin.

The customer leave with a smile, I am full of satisfaction along smiling, and got paid.   


The first peculiarity of TL2X4W PTII, you cannot take a photograph of your self while you are using them.   

The second peculiarity of TL2X4W PTII, the 8846A this is must be set manually at the 10 Ohm range.
Manual zeroing, then you may have a measurement.

[Kiriakos GR]

I cannot stop thinking of why FLUKE tossed in a nylon bag, these test leads.

Today I was determined to make the nicest and practical DIY home for my new test leads.
After testing several options, I ended up reusing an old IKEA plastic box organizer, 28x18x4.5cm
I did remove it orange organizer rack inside.
Then I did add black foam layer.

I did tweak original nylon bag, converted it in to nylon pocket, as storage compartment for the datasheet.
Then dual side sticky tape, the nylon pocket were clued over the black foam layer.
My goal was retaining as much memories possible, from this basic original packaging.       
Everything else this is visible in the photographs bellow.

About usability, so far I was using exclusively TL175E test leads at my 8846A.
This new box, it is modified so to keep safe, TL175E and TL2X4W PTII.
I also like allot the white color, its impossible this box been misplaced, and to not see it right away on the bench. 
 

[Kiriakos GR]

Does it really TL2X4W PTII this hides manufacturing secrets? 

While coaxial special cables its a pain to manage at handheld operations, they are not flexible, they get in the way between of your viewing field, the DUT and the DMM, they truly are superior than plain copper at 4W measurements.

This time I did explore test leads internal resistance.

FLUKE patented split terminal connector this is not made according to showcased 3D model (advertisement).
On its one 4mm hole, there is inside a plastic pin, and nothing is housed on top of it.

Instead they are two gold plated flat pads, they stay in place due to plastic molded housing.
These flat pads they come in touch with DMM banana inputs, directly at the beginning of metals pads these forming the 4mm barrel.
This manufacturing concept has as close example, the same way of contacts operation within electrically powered relay. 
By inserting this connector over the DMM, you are becoming the mechanical force as you to were an active DC coil (electron magnetic force).

You cannot see or touch these miniature contacts within the connector.
This is bad news regarding human curiosity, but regarding product design, anything that humans cannot touch, this is safe regarding human error.

Electrically active length at TL2X4W PTII per lead, this is 1M + 40Cm.
Test leads Tip and down to connector contacts point.
Actual resistance measurement, this is another world wide record, and I will name this as supreme electrical conductivity. 

[overvolt]

Medical equipment repairs ?
Why not, they are also a pile of electronics after all. 

 

[Andrew-88]

Japanese high precision resistance meter with Kelvin clips, this verifying build quality of Made in USA .. Kelvin test leads.

Only in Greece, and by Kiriakos hands, this it would be possible to happen.    

Excellent presentation, lots of details, education + inspiration, and not boring !!